A lot of readers here know about the following great way to spend some fun time with the kids each week, but I republish this article from April of 2009 for anyone for whom it may be a new strategy:
For whatever reason, I have avoided kindergarten day all these years. I guess I was too caught up in stories. But today, I did my first kindergarten classes. I think the format is mentioned in Susie’s recent article on reading (click on articles) at susangrosstprs.com, if you want a refresher.
It was a heartwarming experience. I saw my students in a way I hadn’t before. I read from “I Am A Bunny” and “Trains” and a counting book with pictures of things like four apples, and five flowers, etc.
I read for fifteen minutes. During that time, I became a kindergarten teacher. The kids’ eyes were riveted on the pictures as I sat in a chair in front of them. I got out of my head and read the books with all the heart quality I could muster. I asked my mind to go lie, like a dog, at the entrance to my classroom and go to sleep and stop being so intense about being a teacher.
I am humbled by this experience. My kids BECAME five year olds, but some couldn’t, and stayed stuck in their fourteen year old bodies. But all of them listened in total silence, and, a benefit, none picked their nose.
The sound, the feeling, of the words took center stage in this activity. I was precisely aware of when and what they were processing because I was so focused on what they were experiencing. Familiar words were clearly absorbed, and they all reported nines and tens on a hand comprehension check after the activity.
We skirted into the Pure Land a few times, something I have not experienced even once this year until today. The feeling of internal frustration that occurs in stories when I don’t have all of their full attention was gone, because L2 was occurring on more of a heart level than on a mind level. It wasn’t just a story, it was something different.
The kids have their cupcake plans and blankie plans all set up for next week’s kindergarten day, and they are very excited. Some are bringing their special books – English is just fine because I just translate on the spot – for me to read.
But none are more excited than me. I felt, in those moments today, that I was really sharing the language I teach with my students at a deeper level of mutual trust than I have experienced before.